This afternoon.
Lawyer Cathal Malone tweetz:
Was sitting in Smithfield Square with a colleague (appropriately distanced!) when the guards pulled up from nowhere with orders to clear the Square as “public gatherings are now banned”.
Hmm.
At 4pm today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will give an update on the Government’s response to Covid-19 via RTÉ News Now and RTÉ’s social media channels.
Earlier: €350 Per Week
“sup?
This morning.
A new arrival and mum on Achill Island, County Galway Mayo.
Thanks Sauvignon Blanc
More details on this likely at a post-Cabinet press conference which has been pencilled in for 4pm
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) March 24, 2020
This afternoon.
The Government announces that the Covid Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be increased from €203 per week to €350 per week.
More as we get it.
Previously: €203 A Week For Up To Six Weeks
UPDATE:
Via Colin Coyle
UPDATE:
https://twitter.com/aoifegracemoore/status/1242444786445017091
Tandem Felix – Now I’m A Drip
Fancy a ride on the carousel?
Join Tandem Felix singer David Tapley as he goes for a spin in Bray for the new video from last year’s Rom-Com album.
Criminally overlooked by the Choice Prize, Tandem Felix delivered one of the best Irish records of 2019.
Nick says: Horsin’ around.
Today’s Irish Times
In today’s Irish Times.
Susie O’Connor writes:
“If we were to look at new ministers joining the Cabinet, who will leave? I would argue to change our Ministers for Health and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs would be unhelpful to say the least. Even if they remain under the D’Hondt system, replacing the Minister for Finance with his experience of leading through financial recovery is a poor move.
“Moving further through the Cabinet, is it appropriate to change the Ministers for Business and Social Protection who are at the rapidly evolving frontline? And if the crisis deepens in relation to social order, will inexperienced ministers for justice and defence add value?
“Yes, there are constitutional questions relating to this, but if Covid-19 had hit six weeks earlier they would not arise. Extraordinary times need exceptional measures.”
The newspaper describes Ms O’Connor as “a business adviser with Genesis Management Consulting and a former government special adviser to Charlie Flanagan”.
According to her LinkedIn page, Ms O’Connor was a special advisor at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for two years, from 2014 to 2016; was a policy and communications advisor at Fine Gael for a year, from 2011 to 2012; involved in the operations and logistics of former Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s “winning General Election tour” in February 2011; and CEO of Young Fine Gael and a Fine Gael National Youth Officer for eight years, from 2003 to 2011.
Ms O’Connor was also the campaign manager of RTÉ journalist George Lee when he won a seat in the Dublin South by-election in June 2009.
She might be a little biased.
Coronavirus crisis is no time for rookie ministers (Susie O’Connor, The Irish Times)
This afternoon.
Grafton Street, Dublin 2.
Sophia writes:
Weir & Sons has made the difficult decision to close its doors and move to appointment only for the first time in 151 years.
Customers can still shop online on the Weir & Sons website where business is operating as usual. The decision was made with the safety of all staff and the well-being of customers in mind during the COVID-19 period.
A prescient 2013 version of the ‘Wuhan shake’ from The Derrynane Robot Club.
We liked it then and we like it better now.
(Thanks for the reminder, Cormac)
Here’s How.
The current affairs podcast hosted by William Campbell (right) meets Peter Boland (left), director of the Alliance for Insurance Reform.
William writes:
Peter speaks for an alliance of businesses about insurance costs. Are they paying way over a fair price? And, if so why? And who is pocketing the money? I ask the questions … and try to keep the Covid crisis in perspective.
Listen here
